Pair arrested on gun charges

January 16, 2013

Acting on a tip received from the Michigan State Police Alpena Post, detectives from the Huron Undercover Narcotics Team conducted an investigation into a Presque Isle County woman who is a convicted felon and conducted a "Straw" purchase of a firearm.

The convicted felon, using a name under which she had obtained a Michigan operator's license, had obtained a permit to purchase a handgun by providing false information to a local sporting goods store. The woman then purchased and registered the handgun through Cheboygan County, and gave the gun to her boyfriend who was unable to purchase handguns in Michigan.

On Jan. 15, HUNT detectives, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Presque Isle County Sheriff Department executed a search warrant at the Presque Isle County residence.

While executing the search warrant, detectives encountered a grenade hidden within the residence. The Michigan State Police Bomb Squad responded and removed the device, which is now believed to be an older Smith and Wesson CS grenade. Further, detectives recovered the "Straw" purchased handgun, a second unregistered handgun, and three improperly registered handguns.

Felony charges will be sought on both the man and woman in Cheboygan and Presque Isle counties.

HUNT encourages those who suspect illegal narcotics activity to contact the HUNT team at 1-800-573-DRUG or on the web at www.huntteam.net.